Thousands of COVID fines refunded
The government of New South Wales (NSW) has decided to cancel 23,539 fines related to COVID‑19 restrictions, deemed not to comply with the Fines Act.
These fines, issued for alleged offences, lacked essential legal information. Citizens who paid these fines, in full or in part, will be refunded, for a total of AUD 5.5 million.
This decision reflects a U-turn on the harsh restrictions imposed during the pandemic, which had drawn strong criticism. Some cases, such as a fine imposed on a homeless woman for leaving Sydney without a permit, had been deemed unfair. Fines taken to court will not, however, be affected by this measure.
The move has been hailed as an acknowledgement of errors in the enforcement of health measures, marking a step towards greater justice for NSW residents.
The BAM! editorial team
